The Idolmaster SideM Is Getting a New Console Game on Switch and Switch 2

Bandai Namco's D3 Publisher has announced a new Idolmaster SideM game for Switch and Switch 2, featuring 49 male idols across 16 units from 315 Production.

Get ready, producers — The Idolmaster SideM is officially coming back to consoles, and it's bringing a whole lot of idols with it.

According to Gematsu, Bandai Namco's D3 Publisher has announced a brand-new Idolmaster SideM game headed to both the Switch and Switch 2. That's right, Nintendo fans are getting this one, and it's shaping up to be a full-on console experience.

So what kind of game is it? It's described as an idol production and schedule management adventure. You'll step into the shoes of a producer, looking after all 16 units and 49 male idols from 315 Production. If you've only ever dabbled in the mainline Idolmaster games, just know that SideM shines its spotlight squarely on the growth stories of its male idols — a different flavor from what the flagship series usually serves up.

The game features an original story set within the same shared universe as the rest of the franchise. It follows those 49 idols as they chase their own individual goals, all while working toward one big concert set a year down the line. And according to the announcement, the scope here is meant to match a proper mainline console title — so expect some serious content, not a quick spin-off.

That said, there's still a fair bit we don't know yet. The official title hasn't been revealed, and there's no release date on the table just yet. More details are promised for later, so we'll have to sit tight for now.

Still, for SideM fans who've been waiting on a new console entry, this is a pretty exciting bit of news. A full-sized production sim starring 49 idols, running on Nintendo's current and next-gen hardware? That's a lot to look forward to.

What do you think — are you ready to manage all 16 units, or is 49 idols a little intimidating? Let us know in the comments!